First Known Use of YARD

4yard

Definition of YARD

a: a unit of length equal in the United States to 0.9144 meter — see weight table

b: a unit of volume equal to a cubic yard

2

a: a great length or quantity <remembered yards of facts and figures>

bslang: one hundred dollars

3

: a long spar tapered toward the ends to support and spread the head of a square sail, lateen, or lugsail

4

: a slender glass about three feet tall having a flared opening and a bulbous bottom; also: the amount it contains <a yard of ale>

— the whole nine yards

: all of a related set of circumstances, conditions, or details <who could learn the most about making records, about electronics and engineering, the whole nine yards — Stephen Stills> —sometimes used adverbially with go to indicate an all-out effort

Origin of YARD

Middle English yarde, from Old English gierd twig, measure, yard; akin to Old High German gart stick, Latin hasta spear